Delhi Pollution Crisis: Orange Alert Issued by IMD, GRAP in Full Swing

Delhi's pollution has alarmingly surged to dangerous levels, especially as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) peaked at a drastic 481 to top the "severe plus" mark on Monday morning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Worsening air quality has caused significant disruptions across the national capital, compelling authorities to put the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) into place.

Pollution is caused by several reasons, including stubble burning in neighboring states of Punjab, which has worsened already toxic air in Delhi. The onset of winter will make the situation worse by increasing the concentration of particulate matter in the air.

Measures to Tackle Atrocious Air Quality in Delhi

Delhi has undertaken several measures to deal with the severally poor air quality. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, along with trucks, cannot enter the Delhi-NCR region. Public transport is encouraged, and the public has been advised to travel only if unavoidable. All schools for classes 10 and 12 are open and all other schools have gone online. Workplaces have been asked to go remote or to reduce the staff strength so that they are not left open to noxious and hazardous air pollutants.

Construction and demolition operations have been suspended, and water will also be sprinkled on roads carrying heavy traffic across the city each day to reduce particulate matter in the air. Daily life also suffers, with an expected drop in visibility to 200 meters in Delhi, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue an orange alert for dense fog.

Air travel and road traffic are also very affected.

The flights are facing delays due to low visibility as the fog further worsens. Low-cost carrier Indigo had issued an advisory asking passengers to check flight details in light of dense fog that continues to affect air as well as road travel. The situation has also led to traffic moving slowly across the city and further compounded the issue of pollution.

The Delhi airport has issued low-visibility procedures but operations are normal. To stay updated, contacting the airlines for real-time updates is essential.

Political Blame Game Heats Up

The environmental crisis has turned into a political blame game wherein the BJP has squarely blamed Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, of not doing much to check the rising problem. Rai, meanwhile, has played the victim card, blaming BJP-led state governments of neighboring regions for not doing enough to check stubble burning.

Also read: Delhi Pollution Crisis: Orange Alert Issued by IMD, GRAP in Full Swing